Top 10 Most Unforgivable Anime Kills

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 10 Unforgivable Anime Kills of All Time.

For this list, we’re looking over the murders perpetrated in anime that cannot be swept under the rug, pushed aside, or forgiven, even if the anime itself tries to at times! Which of these anime deaths cut you deep? Let us know in the comments!

“Code Geass” (2006-08)

While we can’t exactly say Shirley surpasses the epic waifu nature of either Kallen or C.C, she was by all accounts one of the most compassionate and innocent members of Lelouch’s inner circle. Neither manipulative nor prejudiced, she was by all accounts a loving person who could have easily become the love of Lelouch’s life. But then Rolo had to mess that up and shoot her down, purely out of jealousy that she might take Lelouch away from him. The fact he doesn’t meet a far more savage end for his crimes is wholly frustrating.

“That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” (2018-21)

For all her clumsy nature, Shion was by and large one of the most important people in Rimuru’s life. So naturally, seeing her get cut down amidst the massacre of Tempest was a tough pill to swallow. Sapped of all her strength via a magical barrier, Shion gave her life to save a child from the invading Falmuth soldiers. While she was later revived, and those that were wronged ended up getting lasered by Rimuru’s Megiddo, it’s still a scene that haunts the series for just how depraved an act it was. And we’re still not sure if we’re cool with Mylan being let off for her part in it all!

“Jujutsu Kaisen” (2020-21)

To go through so much pain and humiliation, only to have his life snuffed out by the one who offered him help? Junpei’s life and death were about as tragic as you could get. Given the power to hurt those that bullied and tortured him throughout high school, Junpei’s deal with a devil came back to bite him in the worst way when Mahito revealed his true colours. Not only was he responsible for killing Junpei’s mother, but he turned the misguided youth into a monster, with no way to reverse the process. Now that’s heartless.

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” (2019-)

They were a struggling yet wholesome family just trying to get by…and then Muzan and his stupid hat had to ruin it all. Set upon by the alpha demon, by the time Tanjiro returns, all he finds is his mother and siblings soaked in blood and gashes. While his beloved sister Nezuko would ultimately survive, it would come at the expense of her humanity, as Muzan’s tainted blood would convert her into a demon. The fact that Tanjiro hasn’t been driven mad by the grief of seeing his whole family torn to pieces is a testament to the
strength of his character.

“Akame ga Kill” (2014)

Despite being affiliated with a notorious group of assassins, the scissor-wielding warrior was very much Night Raid’s soft-hearted center. Which made her violent death at the fists of a sadistic psychopath like Seryu all the more harrowing. Despite her skills, Sheele is unable to fend off the Jaeger and her killer pet. Her demise didn’t only deprived the Night Raid of a beloved friend, but also cementing Seryuu as one of the most loathsome ladies to ever exist in anime.

“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10)

The death of this decorated soldier not only robbed Mustang of a best friend, but the series of its most endearing comic relief. Upon discovering the Homunculi’s plot, Hughes is ambushed by Lust and Envy. Bad enough he comes within a hair’s breadth of blowing up Father’s plan, but to be gunned down by an alchemic monster that took on the form of his wife? It’s a hell of a send-off, one that had every fan weeping and set Mustang on the road to vengeance.

“Hellsing Ultimate” (2006-12)

We knew that Seras had some skeletons in her closet, we just didn’t expect…this. Thanks to Zorin’s ability to craft illusions out of her victim’s memories, she makes Seras relive the day that both her parents were murdered. In a harrowing blast from the past, not only is Seras forced to watch as a pair of thugs gun down her parents. Does it get worse? Of course it does, since, after being shot herself and left to bleed out, she’s forced to watch as one of the killers desecrates her mother’s corpse. Yikes.

“Devilman Crybaby” (2018)

Ah yes, the one death that made everyone question whether humanity was worth saving. Following Ryou’s announcement that demons exist, the entire world is stirred up into a panic, leading to mob justice and mass murders galore. Unfortunately, best girl Miki got caught up in the crossfire, where a plea for peace and love was met with…dismemberment. Yeah, watching such a pure soul get paraded around on sticks is enough to make everyone want to incinerate everything in sight.

“Berserk” (1998-99)

The ultimate act of betrayal, the ultimate selfish act, all permitted by the man who would rather sacrifice his comrades rather than his dream. When offered the chance to join the God Hand, Griffith accepts without hesitation…and as a result allows the entirety of the Band of the Hawk to be eaten alive by murderous demons. It’s a Shakespearean fall from grace that put Griffith’s inner darkness on full display, while at the same time providing a blood-drenched departure for the mercenaries we had grown so attached to. Dammit Griffith!

“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (2012-)

There are some lines you don’t cross, and killing a precious pooch like Danny is one of them. Bad enough that Dio’s early days as a villain were filled with insidious exploits such as turning Jonathan’s friends and family against him, not to mention forcibly stealing Erina’s first kiss, but then he committed the gravest sin imaginable – he killed JoJo’s dog. Scratch that, he burned JoJo’s dog alive. What kind of heartless maniac does that?! R.I.P Danny, we hope you’re at peace with all the other dogs that the JoJo franchise has violently ended over the years.